Proof The Bible Is True

We’ve known for decades that cardiovascular disease is notably lower in southern Europe especially compared to the U.S. The Mediterranean diet, consisting of more fruits, vegetables, and olive oil, usually gets the credit. It’s been shown to reduce the number of heart attacks and strokes in patients with high cardiovascular risk.

Now researchers have identified a key nutrient in the Mediterranean diet that deserves special mention. They found that lycopene, a carotenoid found abundantly in tomatoes, helps reduce cardiovascular disease risk.

Lycopene gives tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables a distinctive red color. It’s a powerful antioxidant and 10 times more potent than vitamin E.

In a study published in the journal PLOS One, researchers at the University of Cambridge demonstrate how lycopene improves the function of blood vessels in patients with cardiovascular disease.[i]

The researchers noted that in spite of aggressive cholesterol lowering with statins and other drugs, cardiovascular patients were still at risk of heart attack and stroke. They believed that risk was due to impaired endothelial function.

The endothelium is a thin layer of cells that lines the inside of blood vessels and helps facilitate blood flow. Endothelial function predicts future cardiovascular events. Having a healthy endothelium is considered an important factor in preventing heart disease.

Read More  Lycopene Matches Statins in Improving Blood Vessel Function.